Subretinal prosthesis Alpha IMS

Russian language version

This post I would like to dedicate to the subretinal prosthesis Alpha IMS produced by Retina Implant AG, Reutlingen, Germany [company's web-site]. The scientific article of Prof. Eberhart Zrenner, one of the developers of subretinal prosthesis gives quite clear picture of what this prosthesis is [article's link]. 

Subretinal prothesis has the microchip which senses light and generates stimulation signals simultaneously at many pixel locations, using microphotodiode arrays. The Subretinal prothesis seeks to replace the function of degenerated photoreceptors directly by translating the light of the image falling onto the retina point by point into small currents that are proportional to the light stimulus. It is the only approach where the photodiode–amplifier–electrode set is contained within a single pixel of the MPDA such that each electrode provides an electrical stimulus to the remaining neurons nearby, thereby reflecting the visual signal that would normally be received via the corresponding, degenerated photoreceptor.

Figure 1. Subretinal implant. 

(a) The microphotodiode array (MPDA) is a light sensitive 3.0 x 3.1 mm CMOS-chip with 1500 pixel-generating elements on a 20 mkm thick polyimide foil carrying an additional test field with 16 electrodes for direct electrical stimulation (DS test field). 

(b) The foil exits approximately 25 mm away from the tip at the equator of the eyeball and is attached to the sclera by means of a small fixation pad looping through the orbit to a subcutaneous silicone cable that connects via a plug behind the ear to a power control unit. 

(c) Magnification of the DS electrode array showing the 16 quadruple electrodes and their dimensions. 

(d) Pattern stimulation via DS array (e.g. ‘U’). 

(e,f ) switching from a triangle to a square by shifting stimulation of a single electrode. 

(g) Magnification of four of the 1500 elements (‘pixels’), showing the rectangular photodiodes above each squared electrode and its contact hole that connects it to the amplifier circuit (overlaid sketch).

The picture is taken from the article "Subretinal electronic chips allow blind patients to read letters and combine them to words", E. Zrenner et al.

Essentially, an image is captured several times per second simultaneously by all photodiodes. Each element (‘pixel’) generates monophasic anodic voltage pulses at its electrode. Thus, pixelized repetitive stimulation is delivered simultaneously by all electrodes to adjacent groups of bipolar cells, the amount of current provided by each electrode being dependent on the brightness at each photodiode. Light is converted to charge pulses by each pixel. The chip is estimated to cover a visual angle of approximately 11º by 11º (1º approx. 288 mkm on the retina). The distance between two MPDA electrodes corresponds to a visual angle of 15 min of arc. Although small, it is sufficient for orientation and object localization, as is well established in patients with peripheral retinal dystrophies. Reading requires a field of 3 by 5 degrees.

Figure 2. Implant position in the body. 

(a) The cable from the implanted chip in the eye leads under the temporal muscle to the exit behind the ear, and connects with a wirelessly operated power control unit. 

(b) Position of the implant under the transparent retina. 

(c) MPDA photodiodes, amplifiers and electrodes in relation to retinal neurons and pigment epithelium. 

(d) Patient with wireless control unit attached to a neckband. 

(e) Route of the polyimide foil (red) and cable (green) in the orbit in a three-dimensional reconstruction 

of CT scans. 

(f) Photograph of the subretinal implant’s tip at the posterior eye pole through a patient’s pupil.

The picture is taken from the article "Subretinal electronic chips allow blind patients to read letters and combine them to words", E. Zrenner et al.

Because Alpha IMS microchip receives the image not from the external camera, but via eye, it is the only one retinal implant so far, where the image receiver array moves exactly with the eye. This has practical implications, as natural eye movements can be used to find and fixate a target.

In summer 2013 Alpha IMS received a CE Mark.

Price around 100,000 EUROs (as of April, 2013). 

BrainPort Device helps sightless to see by tongue

Russian language version

By Wicab, Inc. (Middleton, WI) it is being developed the device that by which blind people may "see" the outworld by the tongue.  

The unique technology was invented by Dr. Paul Bach-y-Rita in 1998 [analyticalarticle of Kenneth S. Suslick]. The technology allows transferring images from digital camera to the electrode array that sits upon tongue and stimulates its receptors.

More details about the device.

Visual system BrainPort developed by Wicab, Inc. [company'sweb] works in the following way: video comes from the camera attached to the forehead to the processor that controls zoom, brightness and other parameters of the image. Processor also converts the digital signals into electrical impulses and actually takes over the function of the retina.

Electrode array of 3x3 cm is comprised of more than 600 electrodes, each of which corresponds to several pixels in the camera. Light intensity directly affects the strength and duration of the current electrical signals which the tongue feels. Electrode array provides spatial orientation due to the flash in the center of the visual field is displayed in the form of a pulse in the middle of the array. White dots are transmitted by high electrical signal and black ones by the absence of voltage. Nerve endings dotting the tongue perceive these pulses. The volunteers have the feeling of champagne bubbles. It is still unclear where the data go further: to a visual or somatosensory cortex [material is taken from http://www.membrana.ru/particle/1131].

The device provides blind people by monochrome vision, the ability to see not just spots, but objects. Sightless have the possibility to make their usual actions: pour coffee, press the elevator button, read what is written on the wall.

About the development of the invention.

Dr. Paul Bach-y-Rita (1934-2006) started to conduct experiments with visual perception through tactile contact in the late 1960s. Initially he developed so-called tactile vision substitution systems capable to deliver visual information to the brain through the stimulants that are in contact with skin of one of several parts of the body (abdomen, back, thigh, fingertips). After sufficient trainings, blind people could feel the image in space rather than on the skin. Nevertheless, the success of the results was limited by inconvenience of practical application of the devices. Mechanical vibrotactile system were bulky and consumed a lot of energy, and  electrotactile systems required high voltages, especially in the areas of the fingertips due to the thick protective layer between the external environment and skin sensory receptors.

The tongue is very sensitive and mobile, and since it is in the protected area of the mouth, sensory receptors are close to the surface. Furthermore, saliva perfectly conducts electrical impulses. That is why Dr. Paul Bach-y-Rita conducted an experiment with tongue receptors [Scientist’s article] and demonstrated that tongue requires only 3% (5-15 V) of the voltage and much less current (0.4-2.0 mA), compared to the fingertips.

Watch the video from BBC:

Erik Weihenmayer: the blind rock climber who sees with his tongue

*All pictures are taken from the company-producer's website